Canada Hit-And-Run: Martin Rouleau, Who Was Shot Dead After Hitting Two Soldiers, Was 'Radicalized'

A Surete du Quebec (SQ) officer investigates an overturned vehicle in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec October 20, 2014. Two Canadian soldiers were injured in a hit-and-run in the province of Quebec on Monday by a male driver who was later shot by police officers, said a spokesman for the Surete du Quebec, the provincial police force. Photo: Reuters/Christinne Muschi

A man who was fatally shot by police after his car hit two Canadian soldiers in Quebec “had become radicalized,” officials said Monday. It was not specified what the government meant by “radicalized,” but according to Reuters, the term has been previously used to refer to Canadians who become supporters of Islamic militant groups.

Martin Rouleau was shot by local police after he hit two military personnel with his car reportedly in the parking lot of a mall near Montreal. One of the troops reportedly received life-threatening injuries while the other had minor injuries. The 25-year-old man then tried to flee and was chased by police for about 2.5 miles until he lost control of his car, which rolled over several times before turning upside down. He was shot when he came out of the vehicle and was later taken to a hospital where he died hours later, according to reports.

"The individual who struck the two (Canadian Armed Forces) members with his car is known to federal authorities, including the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team," a statement from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office reportedly said. "Federal authorities have confirmed that there are clear indications that the individual had become radicalized."

Police said that they had found a knife at the site of the incident but did not give out further details, CBC News reported. "We found a knife on the ground," provincial police Sgt. Michel Brunet reportedly said. "I can't tell you if he had it in his hands at the time."

Harper reportedly expressed his sympathy for the victims and their families earlier Monday.

“We’re closely monitoring the situation and obviously we will make available all of the resources of the federal government," Harper said, according to The Associated Press.